The NCAA transfer portal officially closed on Friday, wrapping up a two-week window that opened on January 2. While players can no longer enter the portal, those already in it remain eligible to transfer and sign with new programs at any time. For Tennessee, that means the work of shaping the 2026 football roster is far from over.
Let’s start with the quarterback room - a position that’s seen some movement since the Vols wrapped up their 2025 season with a Music City Bowl appearance on December 30.
Redshirt freshman Jake Merklinger entered the portal shortly after the season ended and has since transferred to UConn. Merklinger was a promising talent, but with a crowded depth chart and competition heating up, the move gives him a clearer path to playing time elsewhere.
That leaves Tennessee with three quarterbacks currently on the roster: senior Joey Aguilar, and a pair of freshmen in George MacIntyre and Mason Phillips. Aguilar brings experience, but his eligibility status remains in limbo.
Aguilar has joined Vanderbilt quarterback Diego Pavia in a legal push to separate junior college and NCAA eligibility, essentially seeking another year to play. According to CBS Sports' Matt Zenitz, while a waiver is still under consideration, sources indicate it's currently unlikely Aguilar will be granted that extra year. If that holds, Tennessee will be leaning heavily on its young arms moving forward.
One of those young arms is Faizon Brandon, a 2026 prospect who signed with the Vols during the early signing period on December 3. Brandon, out of Grimsley High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, is expected to add a new dynamic to the quarterback competition. At 6-foot-4 with dual-threat ability, he fits the mold of the modern college QB - athletic, poised, and capable of extending plays when things break down.
With Merklinger gone and Aguilar’s future uncertain, Tennessee may not be done adding to the quarterback room. The transfer portal may be closed to new entries, but the Vols can still pursue quarterbacks already in the portal - and there’s no shortage of intriguing names available.
Here’s a look at some of the top quarterbacks still on the board, based on On3’s rankings:
- Darian Mensah (Duke) - A dual-threat with upside, Mensah brings mobility and a solid arm. He’s raw, but intriguing.
- Walker Eget (San Jose State) - Eget has experience and a strong frame. He could be a plug-and-play option for a team needing depth.
- Parker Navarro (Ohio) - A veteran presence with a good football IQ. Navarro may not be flashy, but he’s steady.
- Nicco Marchiol (West Virginia) - Former four-star recruit with a big arm. Marchiol has upside and could thrive in the right system.
- Grayson Wilson (Arkansas) - Young and still developing, but has tools worth investing in.
- Luke Moga (Oregon) - Athletic and fast, Moga is a project with a high ceiling.
- Elijah Brown (Stanford) - Polished and accurate, Brown is a cerebral quarterback who reads defenses well.
- Keyone Jenkins (FIU) - A playmaker with a knack for improvisation, Jenkins brings excitement to the position.
- Jackson Kollock (Minnesota) - A recent addition to the portal, Kollock has size and raw talent.
- Jadyn Davis (Michigan) - Highly touted out of high school, Davis is still looking for the right fit to unlock his potential.
- Taron Dickens (Western Carolina) - Under-the-radar QB with a strong arm and quick release.
- Garret Rangel (Virginia Tech) - Has starting experience and could be a valuable addition to a QB room needing leadership.
- Cardell Williams (Sacramento State) - Productive at the FCS level, Williams is looking to prove himself on a bigger stage.
- Josh Ehrlich (Susquehanna) - A small-school standout with impressive numbers.
- Ryan Staub (Colorado) - Young and still developing, Staub has shown flashes of potential.
- Stone Earle (Abilene Christian) - A veteran who’s played a lot of football.
Could be a stabilizing presence in a young room.
With the portal window closed, Tennessee’s path forward is all about evaluating what’s left and deciding whether to roll with its current group or bring in a transfer to bolster the competition. The Vols have a promising core of young quarterbacks, but in the SEC, depth matters - and experience can be the difference between a good season and a great one.
The next few weeks will tell us a lot about how Tennessee plans to navigate this pivotal offseason. Whether it’s trusting the youth movement or adding a veteran voice to the huddle, the quarterback situation in Knoxville is one to watch closely.